Riverbend takes a loss in first of two hearings

Narrowly avoiding a split vote at its hearing Thursday evening, the Yamhill County Planning Commission voted 5-3 to recommend the board of commissioners reject Riverbend Landfill's application for a zone change intended to facilitate the company's expansion plans.

The final decision agreed with the staff recommendation, delivered by Planning Director Mike Brandt. He said following much consideration he could not recommend approval because Waste Management, in his opinion, failed to meet its burden of proof that all required criteria was addressed in the application.